…or how funny memories sometimes grow into tiny handmade books
I grew up surrounded by some truly amazing men — my grandfathers, my dad, and my stepdad. Each of them influenced me a lot and I still hear their voices in my memories. They also had their own quirks, jokes, and ideas that still sneak into my head all these years later.
One of those ideas was this:
“What if cockroaches were pink?”
That question came from my stepdad.
We were clearing the table after dinner, making sure not a single crumb was left (because everyone knows cockroaches treat crumbs like a hotel buffet). I was expressing about how disgusting are these little creatures and…he looked at me and asked, completely seriously:
“Can you imagine if they were pink?”
Cue the laughter. Cue the ridiculous ideas.
We imagined them as pampered pets. Pageant queens. Matching home décor. Royal companions in diamond boxes. We laughed for hours and I am still smiling, while going back to these memories…
From a Joke to a Pop-Up Book
Years (and many craft projects) later, I was cutting paper and feeling the usual itch to make something odd.
And there it was:
A cockroach royalty. A book. Handmade. Absolutely ridiculous. Absolutely necessary.
So I made it. I drew it. I cut out every little antenna, every shiny shell.
And somehow, with every cut and every silly idea, I was sitting at the table again with the people I love and miss — laughing about roaches.
Creativity is Funny Like That
People think inspiration always comes from something beautiful.
But sometimes it comes from the weird stuff. From jokes. From strange memories, from the people who once said something silly and didn’t know they’d plant a seed in your imagination. Or maybe they did it exactly to plant the seed?
So here it is. My very first handmade artist book — a tiny pop-up story full of pink-ness, paper legs, and loving mischief. I wish my stepdad can see it!
First, I used the simplest construction. You can make lots of layers this way, only changing the length of the cut.
It was not a straight forward process. Sometimes the pages looked empty after assembling, so I had to think about and make more details. But it was fun. If you start a project from zero, always ask yourself “What else?”, “What more?”, “What if?”, “What about”… Even one answer on one question will give you a whole bundle of possibilities and new ideas.
So, here are some of the pages
Who will be crowned Miss Roach Universe? The golden girl on the podium just stole the show, while the crowd erupts in applause (and possibly some scandalous gossip).
With antennae-boosting tech and start-up buzz, scientists and entrepreneurs leap into the cockroach craze… Looks like your cockroach stock is sprinting up the charts!
Diamonds are out, antennae are in! In this alternate world, romance comes with shiny legs and wiggly love — all sealed with a velvet box and a blush.
Family portraits, cozy couches… and of course, pet cockroaches scuttling over grandma’s favourite carpet. Because if it’s pink, it’s allowed. I have to say, I loved drawing the carpet…
… In this alternate universe, royals have their favorite cockroaches too — and sometimes their heads rise or roll, all depending on the King’s mood…
So, with all these legs and antennas, I wanted to say: If you’ve had a strange idea that made you laugh and want to reach for your scissors — follow it.
It might turn into something great. Books like this one can be a perfect gift for people we like. I am working on a How to grow a tomato plant now. It is a gift for a little girl which – as her mom said – is obsessed with tomatoes. So cute and inspiring! And not that difficult to make! Imagine, you can create books like this one as an album for a family trip or for a wedding! Hm, actually this is a great idea and I should try it in our coming trip with friends to Scotland 😊
